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It may have had one of the longest gestation periods of any new vehicle release, but the Alpine A110 has finally been revealed as France’s challenger to the German Porsche Cayman, British Lotus Exige and Italian Alfa Romeo 4C.
Renault’s revered and revived racecar brand previously trickled in teaser images of its A110, and the production model looks true to the concepts we’ve seen past. Now, however, there are figures to back up its slinky form.
The rear-wheel-drive two-door coupe uses a new 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder developing 188kW of power and 320Nm of torque, delivering a claimed 4.5-second 0-100km/h and 249km/h top speed. And note the fuel filler flap on the front guard: the fuel tank is behind the front axle, while the engine is positioned in front of the rear axle.
Double wishbone front and rear suspension tie with all-aluminium Brembo brake callipers and 18-inch forged alloy wheels to save weight, while deeply sculpted Sabelt bucket seats are claimed to weigh just 13.1kg each.
The cabin design of the Alpine A110 appears to be more luxurious than an Alfa or Lotus, yet more minimalist than a Porsche.
Alpine’s first 1955 units – commemorating the year Jean Rédélé launched the brand – will be in A110 Premiere Edition specification, complete with an Alpine Blue, Noir Profond (black) or Blanc Solaire (white) exterior, French flag-waving ‘tricolore’ blue, white and red badging inside, aluminium pedals and more, priced at 58,500 Euro or $81,500 Australian.
That pricing is consistent with Renault Australia’s communication of where the Alpine will sit in the market – south of $90K. Although confirmed for right-hand drive production and initially thought to be a natural addition to the local market, Renault Australia now says a decision has not yet been made to bring the coupe here.
“We are studying the opportunity to distribute Alpine in Australia and will communicate at a later stage when our decision is made.”
